# NHL April 2019/ Playoff Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 2, 2019, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2019-playoff-thread/831923 "2019-04-02T15:04:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 23
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2019, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2019-playoff-thread/831923/441 "2019-05-22T18:33:23Z")
Wikipedia on [Droughts by sport](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drought_(sport)#Droughts_by_sport) (emphasis mine): > [@](#): > > In the NHL, the New York Rangers suffered a 54-year Stanley Cup drought from 1940 until 1994, when they defeated the Vancouver Canucks. The longest current title drought is shared by two teams: the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have not won the Stanley Cup since 1967, _**and the St. Louis Blues, who entered the league when it doubled in size the following season, in 2019 are currently making their first appearance in the Cup Final since 1970).**_ Go Blues! ---
**Author:** ![Tapiotar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@Tapiotar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapiotar)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2019, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2019-playoff-thread/831923/442 "2019-05-22T18:53:30Z")
> [@ThisSpaceForRent](#): > > I was at the game last night. I have NEVER heard a crowd so LOUD. It was amazing. > > My son and I agreed this was the biggest, best sporting event we have ever witnessed. > > Lets Go Blues… So fabulous you were there! Congratulations! ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2019, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2019-playoff-thread/831923/443 "2019-05-27T01:51:56Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Seconded. Three championships in one year would be awesome, posted the lady from Boston. That was 2018 – World Series hasn’t even been played this year yet. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2019, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2019-playoff-thread/831923/444 "2019-05-28T02:55:17Z")
Boston is just big and strong. St. Louis needs to do another quick mental adjust now and come out fired up & ready for Game 2. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2019, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2019-playoff-thread/831923/445 "2019-05-28T03:00:37Z")
Kudos to Boston. I don’t like them, but they’re always finding a way to win. ---
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2019, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2019-playoff-thread/831923/446 "2019-05-28T03:35:44Z")
From what I saw tonight Boston was BY FAR the better team (at least after period #1). In my opinion St. Louis was lucky that it came down to an empty-netter at the end. We’ll see how significant Zdeno Chara’s injury turns out to be but for right now I think the Bruins are in pretty good shape. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2019, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2019-playoff-thread/831923/447 "2019-05-28T12:07:20Z")
Chara got a few stitches and said he’s fine. I’m more worried about his legs, but there’s enough time off between games that I think he’ll be rested enough. Frankly, if the B’s win the Cup this year I kind of wish he’d retire on the top. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2019, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2019-playoff-thread/831923/448 "2019-05-28T13:48:40Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > That was 2018 – World Series hasn’t even been played this year yet. 😉 I said “one year” not “one calendar year.” And it would still be awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2019-playoff-thread/831923/449 "2019-05-29T03:57:16Z")
In non-play-off news, Kieth Tippet becomes the new Oilers coach. Their ninth coach in 11 years. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2019-playoff-thread/831923/450 "2019-05-29T19:19:12Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > In non-play-off news, Kieth Tippet becomes the new Oilers coach. > Their ninth coach in 11 years. At first, I thought, that must be a typo, he can’t possibly spell his name Kieth. And he doesn’t! He spells it “Dave”. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2019, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2019-playoff-thread/831923/451 "2019-05-30T00:08:32Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > At first, I thought, that must be a typo, he can’t possibly spell his name Kieth. And he doesn’t! He spells it “Dave”. Ack - I’ve done that before - getting him mixed up with buddy who played keyboards on a few King Crimson albums. Not to mention the fact that I have a brother-in-law - Keith - who’s razzed me before about my multiple typo attempts at his name. :o ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2019, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2019-playoff-thread/831923/452 "2019-05-30T00:33:47Z")
Boston not wasting much time in setting the tone tonight, eh. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2019, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2019-playoff-thread/831923/453 "2019-05-30T00:51:26Z")
St. Louis saying “oh yeah?” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2019, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2019-playoff-thread/831923/454 "2019-05-30T03:11:25Z")
There was a serious snarl in that “oh yeah?” eh ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2019, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2019-playoff-thread/831923/455 "2019-05-30T06:09:33Z")
Great that we have a series now. After the first goal Binnington let in - a shitty one - I thought, great, here we go again. Good to see the Blues were more physical this game. As Pat Maroon said afterward, their pk was important. Gunnarson’s slap-shot from the point, high blocker, was a beauty to win it. Cheesiest of predictions: if the Bruins win the series courtesy an overtime goal from Marchand, he’ll try to go airborne a la Bobby. ETA: Apparently Bergeron has a groin issue now. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2019, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2019-playoff-thread/831923/456 "2019-05-30T12:49:07Z")
That was a very entertaining game and I hope that the rest of the series is more like that. OTOH, it would suck if Bergeron missed games or was less than 100%. With the win, St. Louis’ all time record in Stanley Cup finals games improves to a mind boggling 1-13. ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2019, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2019-playoff-thread/831923/457 "2019-05-30T14:14:16Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > That was a very entertaining game and I hope that the rest of the series is more like that. OTOH, it would suck if Bergeron missed games or was less than 100%. > > With the win, St. Louis’ all time record in Stanley Cup finals games improves to a mind boggling 1-13. ya gotta start somewhere…I’ll take the win! ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2019, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2019-playoff-thread/831923/458 "2019-05-30T16:51:27Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > With the win, St. Louis’ all time record in Stanley Cup finals games improves to a mind boggling 1-13. If they win one more they’ll outrank the Knights for that stat; awesome that they finally caught up to us tho. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2019, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2019-playoff-thread/831923/459 "2019-05-30T23:42:16Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > OTOH, it would suck if Bergeron missed games or was less than 100%. Agreed, even though I’m not a Bruins fan. Have always held that it’s ten trillion times more satisfying beating a healthy opponent than an injured one. I usually get shouted down for that position, naysayers saying - fuck it, win whatever way you can. If Bergeron is basically out, now, (or barely mustering eight or nine minutes a game, say), that will seriously hobble the Bruins, more so than if Little Pukeface was out. (or even Ra- well, ok, maybe not.) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2019-playoff-thread/831923/460 "2019-05-31T04:23:41Z")
[Blues’ Sundqvist suspended for Game 3](https://apnews.com/e40d2a69ceef49fe8d4c47053772f355) > [@](#): > > Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist has been suspended for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final for delivering an elbow to the head of Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk. > > The NHL’s department of player safety announced the suspension Thursday after a hearing with Sundqvist, who was assessed only a two-minute minor penalty for boarding for the hit that knocked Grzelcyk out of the game and possibly longer. > > Sundqvist and Grzelcyk are each out for Game 3 Saturday. Grzelcyk didn’t travel with the Bruins, and coach Bruce Cassidy said the 25-year-old was in concussion protocol and considered day-to-day. ETA: [Here’s the hit](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1DlMYqUQdE), for those of us that might have missed seeing it live. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2019-playoff-thread/831923.md?page=22) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2019-playoff-thread/831923.md?page=24)